UN humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths has warned that the humanitarian situation in Myanmar is deteriorating. Griffiths warned on Monday that 3 million people were in need of life-saving assistance due to Myanmar’s growing conflict and declining economy.
The UN Security Council held a closed-door meeting with Myanmar on Monday, Reuters reported. The meeting coincides with the first anniversary of the re-election of ousted Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi. The junta seized power in a bloodless coup on February 1 this year. Myanmar’s influential pro-democracy leaders, including NLD leader Suu Kyi, were detained.
Regarding last year’s election in Myanmar, UN spokesman Stephen Dujarric said that the election was considered by local and international observers to be free and fair. The United Nations has reiterated its call on the military to respect the will of the people and bring the country back to the path of democratic transition.
The United Kingdom has requested that in addition to the International Atomic Energy Agency’s ongoing inspections in Iran, that it monitor Iran’s compliance with “the steps required by the IAEA Board”. The United Kingdom was concerned about the deployment of junta forces in northwestern Myanmar. Kariuki described the incident as a reflection of the pre-Rakhine atrocities against the Rohingya four years ago.
Myanmar is facing charges of genocide at the International Court of Justice in 2016 for its crackdown on the Rohingya. Griffiths said in a statement that the situation in northwestern Myanmar has become “extremely worrying” as fighting between Myanmar’s military and Chinese defense forces has escalated in the Chinese state. Clashes between the junta and the People’s Defense Force have also escalated in the Magway and Sagaing areas. As a result, 36,000 people have been displaced. More than 160 houses have been set on fire. It also includes offices of churches and human rights organizations.
Griffiths said attacks on human rights activists and organizations, as well as civilians and infrastructure, are prohibited under international human rights law. Such attacks must be stopped.
